Dubai – 3 November 2026
Two restaurants in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) have been awarded One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Dubai, with a further 16 dining establishments from the district included in the guide’s MICHELIN Selected category. The latest recognition highlights the variety of restaurants operating across DIFC, from Japanese fine dining to European, Indian and Latin American cuisine.
The two newly recognised restaurants are KIGO, located at the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC in Gate Village, and Birch, situated at The Ritz-Carlton, Limestone House. Both have received their first MICHELIN Star in the 2026 edition, placing them among the restaurants recognised for the quality of their cooking.
KIGO specialises in Japanese cuisine, with a seasonal eight-course Kaiseki tasting menu and a 12-seat sushi omakase counter. Its approach centres on seasonal ingredients, carefully prepared dishes and traditional Japanese dining techniques. In addition to the restaurant’s star, its chef, Akinori Tanigawa, received the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Service Award, recognising the quality of hospitality and service provided by the team.
Birch, led by Chef Arslan Berdiev, offers a contemporary fine-dining experience influenced by Japanese and Central Asian flavours. Its menu includes both tasting and à la carte options, with dishes such as bluefin tuna with Uzbek tomato, pumpkin ravioli and marbled beef with beetroot and ponzu sauce. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Limestone House.
Beyond the two starred restaurants, 16 other DIFC establishments have been included in the MICHELIN Selected category. These are Amazónico, Avli by tashas, Barrafina Dubai, Carnival by Trèsind, Chic Nonna, CLAP, Hutong, Josette, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, La Petite Maison, MINA Brasserie, Nazaara, Sexy Fish, The Artisan, The Guild and Zuma.
The MICHELIN Selected distinction is separate from a MICHELIN Star. It identifies restaurants recognised by the guide for the quality of their food, but does not mean they have received a star. Together, the two categories give readers a broader picture of the dining establishments recognised by MICHELIN across the district.
The restaurants are spread across several parts of DIFC, including Gate Village, Gate Avenue, Gate District, ICD Brookfield Place and the district’s hotels. Their inclusion also reflects the range of international cuisines available within the area, with dining options extending beyond traditional fine dining to include different styles of restaurants and culinary concepts.
The 2026 edition marks the fifth year of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai. Its selection features 122 restaurants representing 38 types of cuisine, reflecting the continued development of Dubai’s restaurant scene. Within DIFC, the latest awards add to the district’s position as a dining destination for residents, professionals and visitors, alongside its established role as a financial and business centre.
Source: DIFC News
